Wonderland pier closing forever (Ocean City, New Jersey)

[hersheyfan410]

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/R2YtA54CZ7d6Bd2N/?mibextid=WC7FNe

Sad news but something many saw coming. The place was by all accounts on the way out for a while. I do wonder how this will affect the sister property down the boardwalk.

 

[CanobieFan]

Got dem credz.

I've been there four times over the past 20 years and have seen them take more and more adult rides out and not really replace them with much.... meanwhile Castaway Cove a few blocks to the South has invested *millions* of dollars in new rides and coasters, so it's not a surprise. Hopefully the carousel gets saved

 

[ECG]

This will hopefully put an end to permit denials for Playland's Castaway Cove by Jay Gillian, who also happens to be the mayor of Ocean City for the past decade. I've always felt it was unfair that Playland's competitor overseas the city's building and zoning permits.

 

[Dan Nguyen]

I would love to see Castaway pick up the property. I didn't get to visit when I was in Ocean City (just had time for Castaway), but I heard the flume and dark ride are top notch. It would be perfect for them because they could expand similar to Jolly Roger at the other Ocean City.

I'd love to see another park give Morey's a run for their money too. Those wristband prices are insane.

 

[Thekingin64]

Small update to this. Looks like the land has been sold to a hotel developer:

Residents Pushing to Save Wonderland

Worry about a possible hotel, want input on what happens with the site OCEAN CITY – After the announcement on Friday, Aug. 9, that the Wonderland Pier in Ocean City would close after this season, disappointed community members responded with a petition drive in an effort to keep it open and...

capemaycountyherald.com

Visited for the first (and presumably last) time the other day. Not much to write home about but the log flume was good fun.

 

[TPoseOnTantrum]

Final day for the park was on Sunday;
https://www.darientimes.com/enterta...hore-amusement-park-closes-after-19835045.php

Had a friend go that day, great turnout. Unfortunately most of the rides were pretty much on their last legs, if something broke down this season it's stayed broken. Some attractions were also having issues this past weekend, too. Still very sad to see it go.

 

[TPoseOnTantrum]

Naturally with the park now closed and boarded up, the real estate investors have quickly swooped in.

The frontrunner is Icona Resorts, who would like to build a giant 252-room hotel dubbed Icona In Wonderland. Part of this would see the renovation and reuse of both the Carousel and Giant Wheel, although both are in very questionable condition and the Wheel in particular might be more worthwhile in the scrapyard right now. You can read about the proposal here; https://www.inquirer.com/news/new-j...ier-carousel-ferris-wheel-hotel-20241113.html


The developer has been holding some public meetings and funnily enough demonstrated his commitment by purchasing two 1980's Batman kiddy rides. For all intents and purposes they appear to be these two. Your ride collection is one for the ages, man;


For every big, bold, ambitious development proposal there's always a NIMBY response, or in this case local preservationist groups criticizing the hotel as too big, bold, and ambitious for the area. Said subjects Friends of OCNJ History & Culture and Save Wonderland have pitched their own theme park to be built instead, dubbed Wonderland Commons or Wonderland Square. AI Slop is on the menu!

Source

Overall just keeping up with this one for now because yeah.